Car Hire in Albufeira,
Algarve
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Albufeira
Information

Albufeira
- HistoryIn history Albufeira was a thriving seaport and had its own
castle, that was later destroyed in the earthquake of 1755.
Happily, most of the older parts of the town that survived
and have been carefully maintained. In Roman times it was
know as Baltum and later changed by the Moors to Al-Buhera.
During the Moors 8th Century occupation the town became an
important trading port. In 1532 and in 1755 the town was
badly hit by earthquakes, and in the latter, 227 unlucky
people perished when the roof of the town church collapsed.
During the "War of the Miguels" the town was besieged and
set ablaze. The destroyed town consequently suffered a very
long period of poverty and really only recovered with the
boom of tourism in the later half of the 20th Century.

Albufeira
- DescriptionAs a result of the tide of tourism, this "once upon a time"
fishing village has expanded since the 1960s into a major
holiday resort and now has over 15,000 permanent residents.
As the sun sets the centre of the town changes its
character. A plentiful collection of bars, restaurants and
clubs start to fill-up with people, until they spill over
into the narrow streets. A fine selection of good beaches
extend east and west from the town. Praia de Balaia, Praia
de Castelo, Praia de Falésia, Praia de Galé, de Olhos d’Agua,
Praia de Maria Luisa, and Praia de São Rafael, being the
principal ones. There is a small museum of 15th and 17th
century Ming ceramics and a Municipal art gallery that holds
regular exhibitions during the season. A further addition to
the town is a new Virtual Archaeological Museum. A new
Marina has been completed on the west side of the town and
offers a different and attractive aspect.

Albufeira
- Nearby LocationsOther
places of interest near to Albufeira are, Armação de Pera,
Boliqueime, Guia and Paderne with its ruined castle perched
on an isolated hill some distance from the village. This
castle was liberated from Moor occupation in 1248 by Dom
Paulo Peres Correia. At Ponte Grande there are impressive
caverns with large arches, and also the underwater caverns
of Grutas do Xorino.